Column: Ky. lawmakers honor Martin Luther King

The Senate continued work last week, and recognized an historic event.

On Wednesday, March 5, many lawmakers joined thousands of Kentuckians gathered along Capitol Avenue to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Frankfort led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was a cold and blustery March 5, 1964, when Dr. King, along with 10,000 others, marched up to the front door of our capital in support of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act.

Regarding the work on the floor, Senate Bill 81 passed our chamber this week, and generated a lot of discussion. The bill would define terms regarding employment, specifically “contractor,” “person,” “prime contractor” and “subcontractor.” Under the bill, any person determined to be independent contractor is not eligible for employee benefits or wages. It would also allow for an appeal process to circuit court in the county where the person resides or where the person has a principal office.

Other legislation cleaned up law from previous sessions. Senate Bill 83 tightens up alcoholic beverage control law, which received an overhaul in 2013. It also reclassifies cider that is less that 7 percent alcohol as a malt beverage. Previously, cider had been classified as wine. SB 83 also creates a class B distillery for micro-distilleries producing up to 50,000 gallons per year.

We also took action on youth access to e-cigarettes. Senate Bill 109 would prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. E-cigarettes are sometimes marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes because they are smokeless. But they still emit a vaporized form of nicotine to users that is reportedly addictive and unsafe for youth.

Two bills regarding the concealed carry deadly weapon (CCDW) license process also received passage this week. Senate Bill 100 speeds up CCDW licensing by a simple measure; allowing electronic applications for licenses and renewals. This will take advantage of modern technology and make the licensing process more efficient. The convenience of the electronic application will cost the applicant $10 more, but if the applicant does not want to pay that, the paper application is available at the current cost.

To address personal protection of those under threat of violence, Senate Bill 106 would permit a person protected by an EPO or DVO to be issued a temporary CCDW for the period of the protective order. A background check by the state police will have to be conducted, and the recipient will have to receive training within 45 days in order for the provisional to convert to a full CCDW license.

Damon Thayer represents the 17th Senate District which includes southern Kenton County, as well as all of Grant and Scott Counties. Contact him at 800-372-7181 or 502-564-3120, or e-mail me at damon.thayer@lrc.ky.gov.